Larken (23 page)

For the remainder of the short drive, she did her best to divert his attention from anything other than her overwhelming need for him.

“Let me come to you tonight,” he whispered. “Please.”

His kisses had turned her blood to molten gold, and she wanted more…so much more.

“Yes,” she said. “Oh, yes.”

“Riding on the train feels like we’re flying on the magic carpet from
Arabian Nights
. Our visit to London was the best ever!”

“It’s not every day a girl turns fourteen,” her mother said. “A few years from now we’ll go back for your first Season.”

“I can’t wait!”

Gentle force pressed Larken into her father’s shoulder.

“What’s happening, Papa?”

He glanced out the window. “The train is going around a curve, that’s all. And it looks like we’re about to pass over a bridge.”

“I don’t like bridges.”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, nothing will happen. Trains cross bridges every day.”

“It’s perfectly safe,” her mother added.

Despite her parents’ soothing words, as the bridge drew closer, she clutched at her father’s arm. Her mother gave her a sympathetic smile, but Larken gritted her teeth nevertheless. After the train was on the other side of the bridge, she let out her breath.

“We made it!”

“See? I told you there was nothing to worry about,” her father said.

Her mother laughed. “You’re safe now, and you always will be.”

Larken’s eyes popped open. The sun was up and she was snuggled in Brandon’s arms. With a satisfied smile, she stirred to see if he was awake.

“Is that my wildcat or my wife?” he murmured into her hair. “Oh, it’s both.”

“You’d better sneak back to your room before we’re caught.”

“I hope we
are
caught. The sooner everyone knows you’re mine, the better. By the way, you should know I’m not at all put off by your silly scars. I think you mentioned them just to inflame me.”

“Were you inflamed?”

“Exceedingly.” He paused. “I hope you’re not put off by mine?”

She used her fingertip to trace the pink, puffy flesh where the épée had pierced Brandon’s shoulder.

“As a matter of fact, your scar makes you far more dashing than ever.”

“If that’s a pretty lie, I choose to believe it.”

“Believe it.” A luxurious stretch. “I can’t remember when I’ve slept so well, with not a single nightmare.”

He propped himself up on his elbow. “Perhaps I chased the bad dreams away.”

A giggle. “Myles suggested you would.”

“A smart lad.” He nuzzled her neck. “Have I told you yet this morning how much I love you?”

She pretended to consider the matter. “Mmm…not in so many words.”

“I love you, Larken Burke King.”

“And I love you, Brandon King. Let’s hope my husband doesn’t find out.”

“Oh…he already knows.”

They spent several wonderful minutes saying good morning to one another, but finally it was time to greet the day. Brandon had no sooner donned his dressing gown when Nell knocked on the door and entered the room. She gasped and backed out immediately with a muttered, “Beg pardon!”

As the door slammed shut, Larken laughed. “Well, you’ve done it now, Brandon. We’ve no secrets any longer.”

He grinned, locked the door, and returned to bed with a wicked gleam in his eye. “In that case, another half hour won’t matter.”

THE END

A Note From the Author

Did you enjoy reading about the world of Larken Burke King? I’m busy working on two sequels, to be released in 2015. Here’s a peek…

Lord Apollo & the Irish Colleen

Theo King has returned to Graceling Hall five years after his supposed death, but a mystery remains. A stranger is buried in his grave, and nobody knows if his death was accidental…or murder. As Theo resumes his former life, the dead man’s sister shows up on his doorstep to hold him accountable. If he helps this Irish spitfire solve the mystery, will she finally leave him in peace?

Redemption of Elysium Fields

Actress Josie Wilkes helped rescue her friend Larken from kidnappers, but she’s now paying a heavy price. One of the men involved in the plot has threatened to kill her and she has no choice but to flee London and start her life over again. Can she hide her past long enough to catch a snobbish society gentleman, or should she look for a man who will love her as she is?

About the Author

Originally from Southern California, S.G. Rogers currently resides in beautiful Savannah, Georgia. She writes paranormal, historical romance, fantasy, and romantic fantasy stories, is owned by two hairless cats, Houdini and Nikita, and lives on an island populated by exotic birds, deer, and the occasional gator. Tab is her beverage of choice, but when she imbibes, a cranberry vodka martini doesn’t go amiss. To follow author S.G. Rogers:

Visit her blog at:
http://sgrogers.wordpress.com

Find her on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/SuzanneGRogers

Follow her on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/suzannegrogers

Historical romance titles by S.G. Rogers include:

A Gift for Lara
(Love Letters series Book One)

A Gift for Fiona
(Love Letters series Book Two)

Larken

Ruse & Romance

Jessamine’s Folly

Duke of a Gilded Age

The Ice Captain’s Daughter

Fantasy titles by S.G. Rogers include:

Kira
(Yden series Prequel)

The Last Great Wizard of Yden
(Yden series Book One)

Children of Yden
(Yden series Book Two)

Secrets of Yden
(Yden series Book Three)

Clash of Wills

Tournament of Chance: Dragon Rebel

Dancing with Raven

Magical Misperception

If you enjoyed
Larken
, you might like other historical romance titles by S.G. Rogers:

A Gift for Lara
(Love Letters series Book One)

Lara Robinson wrote a love letter four years ago, but received no reply. Now the man to whom she gave her heart will visit Blythe Manor for Christmas. How can she enjoy the holidays knowing Miles Greystoke must despise her for revealing her feelings in such an unguarded fashion?

As an awkward youth, Miles fell in love with a kindred spirit…but his love was unrequited. Against his wishes, he’s now obliged to spend the holidays at Blythe Manor. Time has wrought changes in his physique, but his devotion to Lara Robinson has never wavered. He searches for the perfect present to show her how he feels, but nothing seems quite right…until he realizes the best sort of gift will embrace the true meaning of Christmas.

...

A Gift for Fiona
(Love Letters series Book Two)

With one sister married and another soon to be engaged, Fiona Robinson worries she’ll be on the shelf. She pins her hopes on a handsome viscount, but his unexpected proposal to another girl hands her a stinging and demoralizing defeat. A new acquaintance awakens all her senses—until she realizes he’s related to the girl who stole her beau. On the heels of her public humiliation, should Fiona instead consider marriage to a much older man whom she could never love?

Fiona’s unconventional, earthy looks and mischievous personality appeal to Rory Braithwaite much more than any other woman he’s ever met. Unfortunately, his sister has been the means of ruining Fiona’s happiness. Can he convince Fiona of his sincerity before she makes a mistake she’ll regret for the rest of her life…and his?

...

Larken

The sole survivor of a train accident, young Larken Burke is dubbed the Miracle Orphan. Four years later, however, her life is far from fortunate. Because of her emotional and physical scars, she believes she’s un-marriageable. With little hope for the future, she agrees to wed a gentleman she’s never met. Unfortunately, his aloof manner proves difficult to take.

Marked by romantic tragedy and the loss of his brother, Brandon King has forsworn marriage. Obliged to take in a ward, he advertises for a mail-order bride to raise the boy. Since the union is to be a marriage in name only, his criteria are youthful age, a certain level of intellect, good breeding, and that the girl shouldn’t be so ill-favored she would embarrass him in society. To his dismay, he gets more than he’d bargained for.

Will it take a miracle for Mr. and Mrs. King to fall in love, or is their marriage another accident waiting to happen?

...

Ruse & Romance